Hat retaining device/multi-purpose strap

ABSTRACT

This device was originated to keep a hat on a head. The device attaches to the lower edge of a hat, and is easily removed. It uses a simple, small tensioning device; to secure the strap under the chin of the wearer. When in use, the strap will not interfere with the activity of the wearer. This invention has turned out to also be very useful as a general utility strap to secure, or hang a wide variety of objects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A strap to keep headwear on the head of the user that also has other multi-purpose utility. The device is composed of one cord (line, string, strap, rope) with alligator style spring clips attached to the two free ends. The alligator clips attach to the lower edge of the hat just forward of the wearers ears, and the cord passes under the chin of the wearer. There is a tensioning device on the strap where it passes under the chin. The tensioning device is made from two “O” rings mated together perpendicular to each other, one vertical and one horizontal, the horizontal one is slightly compressed to an oval shape as it passes through the vertical “O” ring. The cord passes through the horizontal “O” ring going down one side and back up through it on the other side, forming a loop below the tensioning device. This device offers choice of attachment location on the hat to accommodate various head shapes, and the tensioning device allows for a gentle but secure fit under the chin. The tensioning device is small and light, so it does not interfere with the activities of the wearer.

The device was designed to keep headwear in place during wind or vigorous activity, but it has proven its value as a general purpose tie down strap. For this purpose it can be made with either limited stretch cord (rope, line, strap, rope) or a stretch type material. The device will be used much the same way as a “Bungee Cord,” but will have some advantages with the ability to clip onto items; also with the closed loop, and the tensioning device, the strap can fasten to a variety of places.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

-   -   1. While outdoors in windy conditions working at a golf course,         the inventor was required to drive a vehicle with no windshield.         A visored cap was needed to keep the sun out of the eyes, but         the wind was pulling the hat off. The inventor then held the hat         on with one hand and was then driving with the other; a         dangerous situation. That necessity led to the invention of the         device.     -   2. If the inventor had a readily available solution, he could         have purchased that, and the new device may have never been         invented. No such product was available to the knowledge of the         inventor.     -   3. The inventor was unaware of the prior art in the area of hat         retaining devices, so every development in the prototypes was a         new invention. The current design was first produced on Apr. 10,         2014, by mid-May 2014; more than 100 have been produced for         local sale.     -   4. Some of the prior art that has been uncovered during research         for the patent are as follows:         -   a. Schweizer U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,695—Though a similar             device, this inventor did not foresee the advantages of the             closed loop at the bottom of the device, and he did not             produce the innovative tensioning device made from the two             “O” rings.         -   b. Bibbee U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,118—This device is similar in             utility. The design is obviously different. The attachment             to the visor of the hat places the strap in a less             advantageous angle for holding the strap under the chin. The             strap may appear in the wearer's peripheral vision. This             inventor also did not anticipate the innovative design for             the tensioning device.         -   c. Duffy et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,168—This one is not             very similar, but it really is designed to prevent losing             headwear, not keeping it on the head. This device requires             modification of the hat, and is not readily transferrable             from one hat to another.         -   d. The other devices examined compare to this new invention             in much the same way as these three. There is some common             utility, but the new invention is an innovation with ease of             use, light weight, portability, effective in the basic use,             and useful in a wide variety of other areas.     -   5. After the prototypes were in use, the other uses for the         device started to become apparent. These other uses are somewhat         unique to this invention, and are not necessarily uses that the         other prior art can be used for.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of the whole device.

FIG. 2 is a detail of the cord passing through the tensioning device.

FIG. 3 is a detail of the tensioning device plan view with a cross section of the cord passing through it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is the process for making the device. The description will use the actual parts that have been in use currently, but other sizes and materials may be substituted and used in the same basic device.

Parts Needed:

-   2—Spring Clips (Alligator style) -   1—20″ Length of 550 Paracord -   2—“O” rings -   2—Pieces of Heat Shrink tubing

The Process:

-   -   1. Pass the cord through “O” ring B.     -   2. Place “O” ring B inside of “O” ring A.     -   3. Pass the cord back through the other side of “O” ring B. The         cord will form a closed loop on one side of the combined “O”         rings, and will leave the two free ends on the other side (see         FIG. 2).     -   4. Slide the 1 piece of heat shrink tubing loosely over the each         of the two free ends of cord.     -   5. Place the tubular end of the alligator clips over the free         ends of the cord, and crimp them on with pliers     -   6. Slide the heat shrink tubing over the crimped area of the         alligator clip, and heat to shrink the tubing, to make a nice         finished look. The heat shrink tubing should cover the tubular         end of the alligator clip and a small portion of the cord. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Though there have been other patents for hat retaining devices, this device uses a unique combination of elements. A cord (line, rope, string, or strap); two spring clips (such as alligator clips); and two “O” rings combined together to form a friction tensioning device.
 2. The two “O” rings work in conjunction with each other, mated perpendicular to each other. One is vertical in use and the other is horizontal. Both “O” rings are the same size. The horizontal “O” ring passes through the vertical “O” ring, so the horizontal “O” ring is slightly compressed into an oblong shape. The cord then passes down through the horizontal “O” ring, makes a loop, and passes back up through the other side of the horizontal “O” ring.
 3. The hat retaining device can be made with a variety of sizes of cord, rope, line, string or strap. The “O” ring size can be changed to accommodate the different materials. The concept of the tensioning device remains the same. This patent shall cover the use of any “O” ring, washer, or other similar shaped object, in this described configuration. 